Yash Chopra: A life lived in films

"Main pal do pal ka shaayar hoon, Pal do pal meri kahaani hai, Pal do pal meri hasti hai, Pal do pal meri jawaani hai..., this song penned by Shahir Ludhiyanvi from the film 'Kabhie Kabhie', probably describes best the life led by Yash Chopra.  Even though he lived for 80 years, he always lived in the present and his films reflect his deep philosophy of life.

Right from 'Dhool ka Phool' to 'Daag', from Deewar and 'Trishul' to films such as 'Kabhie kabhie', 'Silsila' and 'Darr' and 'Lamhe', Chopra always tried to re-invent himself and weaved his stories, which sometimes portrayed the socio-political scenario while at times, talked about the changing nuances of relationships.

It was Chopra, who reestablished Amitabh as the 'angry young man' with 'Deewar' or brought the concept of anti-hero in Bollywood with 'Darr' starring a young Shah Rukh. To his credit, he never allowed his films to get type-cast for the major part of his career.

From hard-hitting political dramas to thrillers, he juggled in all kind of cinema. Some were hit with the audience and some received flak. Even his romantic films, always raised some questions and his depiction veered on aesthetics and nuances of human relations rather than candyfloss portrayals.

A director of his stature, Chopra could have continued making a series of action anti-establishment films like 'Deewar' with Amitabh, but he decided to explore the more myraid aspects of human heart and once again cast Big B in roles which challenged him as an actor.

Even in the 80s, even though his films like Mashaal and Silsila flopped, they went on to achieve cult status in the later years. It was only in the last decade that he decided to stick to romance and made successful films like 'Dil Toh Pagal Hain' and 'Veer Zaara'.

It is ironic that Chopra had already announced 'Jab Tak Hain Jaan' as his last directorial venture and it is sad that he could not see the release of the film. But then in films, there are no fairytale endings in life as well sometimes.

For a man, who scripted the careers of so many actors by challenging them with varied roles, he too could not have imagined that life would write such a shocking script for him.
It was just a month ago that he had celebrated his 80th birthday and in less than a month we are now condoling his sudden death due to dengue.

True, there won't be anymore 'lights, camera and action' for Yash Chopra, the man who changed the face of Indian film making, but his legend will continue to inspire for generations to come.